76 State Papers and Addresses

It is a fortunate thing for this Country that your organization and similar
associations of patriotic men exist. Your very membership in the organization
proves your devotion to American ideals and principles, otherwise, you would
not have been admitted to membership. Your continuation as active members
demonstrates that you are "carrying on" the practices of loyal sons of the
Nation, to the perpetuation of which your organization is committed!.

I proudly point to the fact that in no un-American activity have your
members ever been engaged; with no subversive attempt to discard the funda-
mentals of American life have your leaders been identified; in no loud outcry
distorting the real concept of representative government has the voice of
your spokesmen been lifted. There, then, in proof of the inseparable connec-
tion which links your Order with the basic doctrines of American civilization
and I venture to assert the confidence that these indissoluble ties will remain
strong and abiding.

Happily, you have adhered to the theory that the best way to have true
fraternity among men is to practice it and as exemplars of such a method you
have achieved success before the eyes of an approving citizenry.

Because of your constant emphasis upon the brotherhood of man, you
have put to shame those who would divide man against man. You have pre-
sented concrete evidence that there are basic traits and characteristics, common
to all, which are to be found in brothers from every part of the Country, if
only we look for such traits and qualities. We, of Maryland, have not had to
take the word of others as to your important contribution to citizenship. In
the membership of your body, residing with this State, we are proud to ac-
knowledge outstanding and whole-hearted adherence to true ideals which have
been evidenced in their lives, individually and collectively.

For these reasons, as well as for others, I assure you from the bottom
of my heart, that you never have found a truer welcome than is yours today
in Maryland.

Your sessions will be productive of good to your Order and to your fellow-
men, I am sure. It is also true, that additional time has been allowed by your
untiring and devoted committees to permit you to experience and thoroughly
enjoy the good! things that our State has in store for you.

In the name of the people of Maryland and under the enviable circumstances
which now exist, I consider it a high privilege, as Governor of the State, to
welcome each and every one of you into our midst. We reiterate our friend-
liness and greeting based upon the knowledge that your organization has
endeared itself to everyone who loves America and who is appreciative of the
American form of living.

I salute you cordially and express the wish that you may carry away from
our State a portion of the friendly and brotherly feeling which the people of
this State have stored up for you.